What Is Therapy?

Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or usually just "therapy," is a form of treatment aimed at relieving emotional distress and mental health problems

Aug 9, 2023 - 13:49

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The goal of psychotherapy, sometimes known as "talk therapy" or simply "therapy," is to alleviate emotional distress and mental health problems. Professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and licenced counsellors all offer this service, which helps people figure out how to deal with the stresses of daily life. Meetings between a therapist and patient in which progress towards treatment goals is discussed and monitored. Psychotherapy is a broad term that includes a wide number of approaches used by different types of therapists. The client or patient's ability to work cooperatively with the therapist and see progress and good development over time is crucial.

Existing treatments are generally accepted after extensive testing and evaluation. Successful therapy can have profound positive effects on one's life, but it can be intimidating to seek help at first. This is especially true for people with limited financial resources or no health insurance.

Should I go to therapy?

Having a third party listen and provide advice is helpful for most people in a variety of situations. The decision to begin therapy isn't always an easy one because of the time and money required. There is also still a stigma attached to talking about mental health.

If a person is debating whether or not to seek therapy, they should ask themselves if they experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, overload, or irritability on a regular basis, since if they do, therapy is likely to provide emotional support and help them build the abilities to manage their mental health. However, intense distress isn't the only reason a person could benefit from counselling. They may benefit greatly from counselling if they are having difficulties in their relationships, are unhappy in their jobs, frequently use substances such as alcohol or food as a coping mechanism, or have a general sense of isolation.

What’s the first step in looking for a therapist?

There are a great many caring and competent therapists out there, but not every one of them will be the ideal fit for every patient. Finding the appropriate therapist is often a frustrating process for both patients and professionals.

Finding a qualified therapist can seem like an overwhelming task, but there are many resources available online that help simplify the search. Prospective clients can find therapists (either in their area or who are licenced to provide online therapy) who take their insurance and who seem like a good fit based on modality, gender, or the most common issues treated by using online directories (such as the Psychology Today Therapy Directory), search engines, or their insurance company's online list of covered providers. Customers should then get in touch with a few possible prospects and take the next steps towards scheduling an initial consultation.

Can I help a loved one find a therapist?

Seeing a loved one go through mental health issues is difficult and can make you feel useless. While it is ultimately up to the individual to decide whether or not to seek therapy, concerned loved ones can provide moral and practical support in any way they see fit.

This could involve arranging transportation to their initial therapy session, connecting them with educational materials about treatment, identifying local clinicians, and scheduling appointments.

What type of therapy is right for me?

Common mental health problems can be effectively treated by a wide variety of therapies; the "best" therapy for a given individual, therefore, frequently comes down to the person's unique concerns, the strength of the therapeutic alliance they are able to forge with their therapist, and the individual's own preferences. Clients with more specialised mental health difficulties, such OCD or PTSD, may do best in therapy with a clinician who specialises in the area or uses a form of therapy tailored to address the disease.

Marriage and family therapy, couples therapy, or couples counselling may be helpful for those looking to improve their relationships or address issues within their families.

People who are looking for a more cost-effective form of therapy or who feel it would be helpful to work through their issues in the company of others who can relate can explore group counselling or group therapy.

Will I be able to afford therapy?

A client's ability to afford therapy will likely be affected by a number of variables, such as whether or not they have health insurance, where they live, and how much money they bring in each month. Some therapists have predetermined rates each session while others use a sliding scale based on the client's financial situation. Low-income clients can access low- or no-cost therapy in various areas, frequently through academic or other therapist-training programmes. Before making an appointment, potential patients should check their insurance benefits and the therapist's price schedule.

What will the first session of therapy be like?

It's normal to experience some apprehension or nervousness before attending your first therapy session. Fortunately, the structure of the initial therapy session is very consistent and may be expected by the patient. In the initial session, therapists typically ask broad questions about the client to learn more about them, their history with therapy, and the problems they hope to resolve. They will probably also tell you about their unique approach (or modalities) and what you may expect from working with them. It's possible that the first appointment will also be used to handle practical matters like confirming insurance and establishing a payment plan.

Will I receive medication if I go to therapy?

Psychotherapy is frequently combined with medication, especially for severe cases of depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. If a therapist believes a patient would benefit from medication, he or she will discuss the possibility with the patient before making a referral to a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, or other qualified prescriber. The client will continue to see the therapist for the purpose of developing coping skills and methods to support their mental health, while also maintaining regular appointments with the prescribing professional to discuss any side effects and dose modifications.

What are the red flags of an unqualified or unethical therapist?

Effective and ethical therapists are human just like their clients, and they too can make mistakes or accidentally offend their patients. Unfortunately, there are some therapists who are not cut out for the job. Talking too much (to the point where the client feels unable to talk about their own difficulties) or disclosing inappropriate details about one's own personal life are common red flags of an inadequate therapist. It's also not a good sign if the therapist constantly seems bored or distracted, or if they come across as being judgmental or condescending to the client.

While unethical therapists are less common than their less qualified and less successful counterparts, they are nevertheless out there. Unprofessional clinicians could make unwanted sexual or romantic advances, threaten or blackmail their patients, or violate patient confidentiality without reasonable cause. Therapy should be terminated immediately and the therapist reported to the licencing board.

When does therapy end?

Sometimes, practical considerations like a shift in insurance coverage make it necessary to discontinue therapy before the client has reached their goals or thinks they are making progress. On the other hand, a therapist may decide that they are not the right person to help a specific patient. If this happens, the therapist may suggest that the client seeks out services from a different provider.